Page 3 of Master Bistrita

Taylen returns a few minutes later looking a little more relaxed and settles onto one of the stools on our side of the bar. Her eyes narrow at me. “What’s the matter?” she asks.

I could never hide much from her. It’s like she senses this stuff, or just reads my mind. “I just talked to Lord Drancus. He wanted to make sure we knew where the panic buttons were in case things get dicey with the rogue shifters and vampires.”

She takes a hard look around at those mingling at the tables and sitting on the couches in the dimly lit club. We know everyone here right now, but it’s early. Taylen lowers her voice. “After what happened to Natalia, I don’t think we can be too careful. First sign of trouble, we hit the button and head to the panic room. It makes me grateful they had the foresight to put one on every floor of the club now.”

No doubt about that. I may have thought the rooms were overkill when I first learned about them, but I don’t anymore. “Agreed. Natalia never saw the attack in her brother’s home coming. Those guys are syndicate. They were armed and prepared, yet that evil son of a bitch Lucas got her good.”

Taylen’s eyes flash. “He won’t stop. I heard he’s out for revenge.”

I scan the vampires standing together by the door of the club, and my chest tightens with angst. “He still wants her as revenge for her brothers not taking sides with the rogue vampires. It’s such a mind-fuck to think Overmaster Descallia’s right hand man for centuries would not only turn rogue but turn out to be leading the charge against the purebloods. Descallia has to feel incredibly betrayed.”

Taylen’s violet eyes connect with mine as I look up. We both know that if we’re being warned, trouble is probably already on its way to the region of Bistrita. My chest pounds with fear that he’s heading right to my friend and not to Club Descallia.

“Lucas isn’t going to stop until he gets Natalia. He wanted her dead, not turned. He wants revenge on her brother Michael for moving the syndicate support to the vampire masters and not the rogues. The way I hear it, he’s not going to let this go without exacting revenge. I have to warn her. If Drancus says trouble is coming, it’s coming. He’s not going to stop trying to get her, Taylen.”

I text Natalia, waiting a minute for a response. A long fucking minute while my heart pounds and blood races with fear for my friend’s life when she doesn’t answer after far too long. “I have to go warn her.”

Taylen touches my shoulder. “I’ve got things covered here. Just be careful, Chara. It’s not going to help Natalia one bit if you get captured and killed, instead of her. Think about how she would feel?”

I know she’s right, but still, the angst for my friend overshadows any thoughts of self-preservation as I text Natalia again.

Are you okay??

When I don’t get a response this time, my mind is made up. I grab my sweater and purse from underneath the bar. “I have to go now.”

I don’t even bother explaining to the vampire guards who try to slow me down as I Ieave the club. “Family emergency,” I call back over my shoulder, racing down the street to hail a cab and warn my friend.

Chapter 3

Bistrita

I look to Lucianna to calm the witches after her announcement because they are nothing if not loyal, and whether those loyalties are misplaced or not, they are not about to think the worst of Embry until it’s proven to them that she’s the traitor everyone believes her to be.

Lucianna’s eyes glow green, as the witches’ eyes swirl with purple and a myriad of colors, and their fingernails crackle with blue sparking electricity. Willow steps out of Romano’s arms toward Lucianna. “Embry is not with Lucas. She doesn’t have it in her to betray us this way.”

Our future queen closes her eyes for a second as though weighing her words carefully. “Embry is my closest friend. She was the one who took me under her wing when I first went to Club Descallia looking to help with the disappearance of women. She showed me the ropes, and we’ve been friends ever since. If she is not a traitor, she will show us this. Of this, I have no doubt.”

Willow steps forward. “Then why is everyone assuming she’s sided with Lucas?”

“You have become as fond of Embry as I, and rest assured, she will not be written off unless we are certain she has betrayed the vampires. But only she can prove this to us and prove it to us she must. There is no way we can allow anyone, no matter how close we’ve become to them, the chance to take our power. There is far more at stake.”

Raven nods. “The rogues want to take all the power from the purebloods, the witches, and the shifters. Aunt Devora said they have been trying for centuries. That it’s a vendetta with Overmaster Descallia.”

Lucianna looks to each one of them, solemn and serious. “Partly, but mostly it’s their desire to return things back to the way it used to be. Before blood could be sourced through other means. Back to a time when the vampires would attack humans, any red-blooded soul for that matter, to feast on their blood. We can’t allow them that kind of power.”

Overmaster Descallia watches his mate with admiration in his eyes. Lucianna will make a future queen the vampires will all be proud of and respect. The witches may have calmed after listening to Lucianna, but still they are not convinced their friend has turned enemy. It will take Embry herself to change their mind. Actions speak louder than words. They have to see what the little traitor is capable of for themselves.

I do not envy the masters trying to placate their mates tonight. Females, nothing but trouble, as far as I’m concerned. Although the masters do look happy with the mates by their sides, even with all the contention of late.

Destiny will probably never find someone to pair me with, and that’s just the way I like it. Too used to doing things my way, my particular sexual preferences, and set ways. No, single with no one to account to or take responsibility for is the way I like to roll.

“Alright, everyone”—I point to the map—“this is where we go in. We split half and half with our troops, so we can flank both sides. Then, we meet here, at the heart of the cavern. All exits will have been sealed off, so when we go in, it will be a fight to the death, of that you can be sure.”

I turn to the males in the room. “Everyone have their stakes and know when and how to use them? There can be no hesitation. We’ll get one chance to catch them off guard, otherwise, they’ll be gone like a shadow in the night. If you wound them with your weapons, be sure to stake them right away.”

Natalia pulls out a stake. “I’ve never used one before, but if one of the rogues, Lucas in particular, takes a run at me, I’ll be ready this time.” Master Oradea’s arm settles around his mate’s shoulders, drawing her close. The thought of almost losing her is still probably fresh on his mind after Lucas attacked her, and he had to turn her to keep her for eternity instead of losing her to a brutal human death.

Raised voices in the hall pull our attention to the doorway. A red-haired beauty in a long black sweater, which does nothing to disguise the state of undress underneath it, races into the room atop high sexy heels. The minute Natalia sees her, she meets her halfway and pulls the woman into her arms, closing her eyes as they hug each other tight. “Chara, what are you doing here? It’s not safe for you to be running around in the night,” Natalia exclaims.

---